Finance committee  That is a huge issue. We are unsure where that funding went as well. In the last mandate letter for the Minister of Health, the minister was urged to set standards in mental health. In doing that, I believe the government was trying to get a handle on what actually was sent out specifically for mental health and trying to ask whether it could set some level—in which case, it would know that the funding would be going to help create that standard so that there would be consistency of care and access across the country.

Finance committee  Sure. Thank you.

Finance committee  I think that would be extraordinary. As we know, depression was at epidemic levels prior to the pandemic, and we know this issue is top of mind for Canadians. I think seeing the federal government play a stronger role in this area, calling it out and putting a minister in charge and a department, highlights and spotlights the important role that the federal government has, and that could lead to real change.

Finance committee  It's a big goal, and I think one of the ways we've started to think about it is that we have universal health care but not universal mental health care. What you would find in other G7 nations, with the exception of the United States, is a fully funded mental health care system that includes everything, from the basic sorts of treatments we described in BounceBack for depression and anxiety, all the way to the treatment of major mental illness.

Finance committee  Good afternoon. Thank you so much for having me here to speak with you today. I'm Margaret Eaton. I'm the national CEO of the CMHA. We are a nationwide federation of 87 community mental health providers that deliver critical mental health promotion, prevention and care to over one million Canadians across 330 locations annually.

Health committee  How do we help each other? I think it's very important to think about the landscape of mental health in Canada. We know that mental health has not been funded to the same extent that physical health has been, that there isn't parity. The Mental Health Commission of Canada recommends that 9% of the health budget go towards mental health, and currently it's only about 7%.

Health committee  Right. It is a dark time for many people. I think that is one of the things that are most difficult: We don't know when it will end. That is one thing that really contributes to people's anxiety right now, and there can be that feeling of hopelessness. I'm so sorry to hear about the two farmers.

Health committee  It's interesting. I believe there has to be a balanced response. You have to say that you don't know what the end might be, but at the same time reassure people that we will get through it, and that we will get through it together. I think that's the balance.

Health committee  Yes. P.E.I., for example, has had to establish some new crisis call lines. They didn't have crisis lines they could turn to, so CMHA P.E.I. is expanding its services. Woodstock has found that its calls are up 50%, so they are repurposing staff there. Moose Jaw has also opened up a new crisis line.

Health committee  That is a wonderful question. I've been reaching out to some international colleagues and have been trying to get that information. It has been very hard to get in touch with people. I would love to come back to the committee with more of an update on what's happening around the world as people respond.

Health committee  I believe that part of what the government has announced is that there will be a care provider that will be following up with those two million Canadians. They are going to be providing that short-term psychotherapy for those Canadians. I believe that is a generous estimate, but we really don't know what that impact will be.

Health committee  Yes. The volunteers spread out across the country would have a variety of roles. Some might be people helping out in office work, but some are peer support workers. They are volunteers, oftentimes people with lived experience of mental illness, who have received training through their branch to provide support.

Health committee  We've been so pleased with responses across the country and the Canadian idea of caremongering, and there are wonderful Facebook groups across the country doing that. One of our branches, the Quebec division in Quebec City, has set up a secure group chat for eight people at a time to talk about their issues, and we're seeing similar movements across the country.

Health committee  I mentioned our one Quebec group. There have certainly been these Facebook groups with people who are providing care and going out and shopping for people. What we've seen from CMHAs is that some of them are actually keeping their doors open. Even though the general advice here in Ontario, for example, is to shut your doors, some of them have said, no, they have to be open for walk-in clients.

Health committee  I think of programs that the CMHA runs, for example. The CMHA is often the first stop for people searching for mental health resources in their community. As to looking for certifications, we offer a peer support certification. There are also other certifications. Certainly the Canadian Psychological Association and other registered professions have the credentials to provide you with the supports you need.